P&WC Unveils Service Plan Improvements at Heli-Expo

Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW-210 is one of the OEM's rotorcraft powerplants now eligible for customer placement instead of overhaul, under its Eagle Service Plan New Engine Option.

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) announced several additions and improvements to its engine service plans on Monday on the eve of Heli-Expo 2019. For its rotorcraft customers, the company (Booth 6915) is introducing a new engine option (NEO) for its single-aircraft Eagle Service Plan (ESP). Rolled out last year for the Montreal-based manufacturer’s PT6A turboprop customers, it is now available for helicopters as well.

Customers on the pay-per-hour ESP now have the ability to choose a new engine installation instead of an overhauled engine. “It definitely helps in terms of the removal and installation,” said Irene Makris, the OEM’s v-p of sales and marketing. “You don’t have to get a rental, you don’t have to have the aircraft down" while waiting for overhaul. "It also helps the residual value of the aircraft at the end because the aircraft has a new engine,” Makris said. It is available for the PW200 series and PT6C-67C, covering most of the company’s twin-engine helicopter applications, as well as the AW139.

“We’re focused on innovative engine maintenance programs and operating solutions, providing our customers with peace of mind,” Makris told AIN. “That really means predictability in managing their costs and planning budget, but knowing that the engine will always be there for them when they need it.”

Toward that goal, P&WC has expanded its certified preowned (CPO) program, which it launched last year, from one year/500 hours to two years/500 hours. Catering to the used helicopter market, aircraft sellers can enroll their powerplants in the program through an inspection and maintenance log audit.

“Where CPO helps is that when a used aircraft is changing hands, the buyer wants some original manufacturer warranty with it,” explained Makris. “When it comes with a warranty, obviously the value of the aircraft is higher so it allows the sale to happen even easier.”

Engines are given a thorough examination before certification. “We’re looking basically to see if engines have been maintained at our own facilities or designated facilities, that they contain genuine parts, and that they pass the inspection,” noted Makris. This includes a visual inspection along with a borescope and an oil analysis.

While a lighter version of the program (nine months/250 hours) was also introduced, the standard program costs $15,000, which can be credited to the seller’s P&WC account if they then enroll the engine in one of the manufacturer’s pay-per-hour programs. It covers repair or replacement of damaged parts, as well as a one-year subscription to the manufacturer’s technical publications.

Lastly, the company has made some changes to its small fleet program, renaming it the Fleet Service Plan (FSP). While the ESP deals specifically with single aircraft operators, and the Fleet Management Plan (FMP) was designed for large fleet operators (more than five aircraft), the FSP is intended to streamline engine maintenance for those with a handful of each aircraft.

Previously, these operators would have been required to enroll each in their own separate plan until they reached five and were eligible for the FMP coverage, causing logistical and administration issues. “It covers overhauls, hot section inspections, repairs of basic unscheduled scheduled engine removals, environmental damage, and it also has health monitoring and digital services,” said Makris. “It also allows our customers to not have any premature or unexpected removals or unexpected costs.”

Also included in the basic plan is freight, while options such as low-cycle fatigue/life-limited part coverage, rental engine support, and part exchange are also available.